Tag: Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya Refuses To Be Whittaker vs. Gastelum Backup

Rising UFC middleweight contender Israel Adesanya refuses to be the backup fighter for Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum’s 185-pound title fight at UFC 234.

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Israel Adesanya isn’t willing to play second fiddle to anyone.

Adesanya made a huge case for a 185-pound title opportunity at UFC 230 earlier this month (Sat. November 3, 2018). He defeated top-ranked middleweight Derek Brunson via first-round knockout with relative ease. After the fight, Adesanya has been campaigning for a shot at the middleweight throne.

Currently, middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is slated to defend his strap against Kelvin Gastelum. Their fight will headline UFC 234 from the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia on February 10, 2019. Usually, the UFC will have a backup fighter in place in case something goes wrong with a title fight.

It looks like that role was recently offered to Adesanya by UFC President Dana White. However, speaking with the New Zealand Herald recently, “Style Bender” revealed that he shot the offer down:

“[White] mentioned it but I said no, I’m not about that.”

Adesanya seems to want to be the UFC’s first option when it comes to booking a UFC title contest. He doesn’t want to take the scraps of a fighter who can’t make the walk on fight night. Adesanya is currently undefeated in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

With his win over Brunson, “Style Bender’s” record improved to 15-0. The 29-year-old might need one more big win before punching his ticket to a 185-pound title opportunity.

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Israel Adesanya Claims He Turned Down UFC 234 Backup Spot

If Israel Adesanya is to be believed, then he has turned down an opportunity to step in as an emergency backup for UFC 234’s main event. UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittker is expected to defend his gold against Kelvin Gastelum on Feb. 9 (F…

If Israel Adesanya is to be believed, then he has turned down an opportunity to step in as an emergency backup for UFC 234’s main event. UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittker is expected to defend his gold against Kelvin Gastelum on Feb. 9 (Feb. 10 Australia time). The title bout will headline UFC 234. The […]

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Israel Adesanya Explains Why He’d Beat Robert Whittaker

At UFC 234, Robert Whittaker will defend his UFC middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum. The fight takes place after the pair coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. The winner of the bout could very well be facing Israel Adesanya in …

At UFC 234, Robert Whittaker will defend his UFC middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum. The fight takes place after the pair coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. The winner of the bout could very well be facing Israel Adesanya in their first title defense next. Adesanya had a coming out party at UFC […]

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Israel Adesanya Meeting With Dana White About Possible UFC Title Shot

Rising middleweight contender Israel Adesanya is meeting with UFC President Dana White about a possible title opportunity.

The post Israel Adesanya Meeting With Dana White About Possible UFC Title Shot appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Israel Adesanya’s last fight may have earned him a shot at the UFC middleweight title.

Adesanya had his coming out party at UFC 230 last month in Madison Square Garden. He made quick work of top-ranked middleweight Derek Brunson, finishing Brunson via first-round knockout. After the win, Adesanya has been fantasy booked by mixed martial arts (MMA) fans against some of the elite at 185 pounds.

However, it looks like the next time Adesanya takes the Octagon, it could possibly be for a title. UFC President Dana White recently revealed to the Daily Telegraph that he will be meeting with Adesanya about a possible title opportunity. He could take on the winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 234 (via Newshub):

“It’s very possible, yes. That’s why he’s flying in here, Israel wants to meet with me and talk. When he read that I was flying in here this week, he said he wanted to come across and talk, and that’s awesome.

“That would certainly make the most sense. In fact, if these two guys [Whittaker & Adesanya] fight, it’s something I would really look at doing in a stadium here.

“Israel is one of those guys who, if he can deliver, if he can win a world title, he will be incredibly famous. And famous all over the planet, this kid can be incredibly big.

“I love everything about him. The way he talks, the way he fights … and the kid wants to fight every month.”

It would be an interesting move to give Adesanya a title opportunity so quickly. Brunson was essentially the first and only big name “Stylebender” has defeated. Albeit, he did it in dominant fashion and showed off some world-class striking in the process.

However, also at UFC 230, another middleweight made quite the case for a shot at the title. Jacare Souza knocked out Chris Weidman in their co-main event scrap to make quite a statement. It will be interesting to see what the UFC decides to do when it’s all said and done.

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Dana White Plans To Meet With Israel Adesanya On Potential UFC Title Shot

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White is set to meet with Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia. Adesanya has been making waves in the middleweight division. His exciting style and brash personality have helped get him recognition. &…

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White is set to meet with Israel Adesanya in Sydney, Australia. Adesanya has been making waves in the middleweight division. His exciting style and brash personality have helped get him recognition. “The Last Stylebender” has quite the kickboxing resume, but he’s also adapted to mixed martial arts quickly and […]

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Israel Adesanya Says Yair Rodriguez’s UFC Denver KO Win Wasn’t Luck

Israel Adesanya dismisses those who say that Yair Rodriguez’s knockout win at UFC Denver was luck. This past Saturday night (Nov. 10), UFC Denver took place inside the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. In the main event, Rodriguez went one-on-one…

Israel Adesanya dismisses those who say that Yair Rodriguez’s knockout win at UFC Denver was luck. This past Saturday night (Nov. 10), UFC Denver took place inside the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. In the main event, Rodriguez went one-on-one with Chan Sung Jung. With just one second left to go in a thrilling contest, […]

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